Businesses back King Street regeneration
Tuesday December 6, 2011
Plans to breathe new life into the west end of King Street by creating a new public square and 290 homes have been welcomed by local traders.
Business owners in King Street say that the development, which was given the green light by Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council’s planning applications committee on November 30, will bring much needed regeneration to the area and will boost their trade.
Dave Parmar, managing director of Scanview Electronics Ltd, said: “I’ve been here for almost 35 years. We need some kind of development to bring the people in. We were doing very well till Westfield opened and most of the customers around here prefer to go to Westfield because under one roof, you can get everything.
“But if you had something very similar further up the road maybe the customer can be brought in and while coming to that new mall they will be passing my high street shop and maybe will do a bit more, and at a time like a recession like this we need as many people on the road as possible to spend money so that there are benefits for me, benefits for the council and for the local public.”
John Horton, director of Horton & Garton: “Personally speaking I think it’s a great thing for King Street, and having worked here for 16 years the regeneration of King Street from the town hall to Ravenscourt Park is well overdue.”
Karamat Hussain Mirza, from mobile phone shop Ragetech, said: “We like this plan, think highly of it and the plan is ok for us and everybody else around here too.”
Ifzal Mehdi, of Kwik Clean dry cleaners, said: “I think it will be better and be helpful for King Street, especially this area of King Street, when it is completed.”
The planning approval now paves the way for King Street Developments Ltd (KSD) to demolish the town hall extension, which is coming to the end of its life, and regenerate a run-down corner of the borough.
The improvements include new homes, a public square, a step-free bridge that will re-connect the high street with the riverside and Furnivall Gardens, shops, restaurants and new business and council offices. The demolition of the giant, grey town hall extension built in the 1970s, means that the northern façade of the Grade II listed town hall will be visible from King Street once more, while hundreds of jobs will be created.
Cllr Mark Loveday, H&F Council cabinet member for strategy, said: “This is good news for businesses in and around King Street, which will get an economic shot in the arm when the project is complete. It is good news for people who are hoping to get onto the property ladder. And it is good news for taxpayers who will not need to find £18million to refurbish the ugly town hall extension.”
Earlier this year, KSD reduced the size of the scheme after the council requested a smaller office building and in response to consultation. The new modern building is expected to save around £150,000 in reduced energy costs and the council is retaining the freehold of the land.
Had the project not received planning approval taxpayers would have been hit with a bill of around £18 million to move council staff temporarily while the extension was brought up to standard.
The planning approval followed four years of public consultation with residents, amenity groups and other interested parties. Work is expected to begin within two years, allowing for further consultation with existing residents and so that appropriate new accommodation for Thomas Pocklington Trust tenants can be provided.
To watch the film where King Street business owners talk about backing the plans, visit H&F TV (opens new window).
